Shoulder Dislocation & Instability

The shoulder is the most movable joint in your body. The shoulder is like a ball and a socket joint. This means the round top of your arm bone (the ball) fits into the groove in your shoulder blade (the socket). It helps you to lift your arm, to rotate it, and to reach up over your head. It is able to turn in many directions. This greater range of motion, however, can cause instability. This can happen as a result of a sudden injury or from overuse.

When you have a dislocated shoulder, it means the entire ball is out of the socket. When you have a partly dislocated shoulder, it means only part of the ball is out of the socket. This is called a shoulder subluxation.

Once your shoulder has been dislocated, it is prone to happen again. When the shoulder is loose and slips out of place repeatedly, it is considered as chronic shoulder instability.

Common symptoms of chronic shoulder instability include

Pain caused by shoulder injury

Repeated shoulder dislocations

Repeated instances of the shoulder giving way; sometimes stuck in position

A persistent sensation of the shoulder feeling loose, slipping in and out of the joint

Regardless of patient type, prior to initiating treatments, Dr Siow does a thorough history and physical examination. Where indicated, additional information is obtained through X-ray images or MRI. Patients with multidirectional instability or loose joints may be placed in a arm sling and advised to get plenty of rest. They are also advised to try rehabilitation exercises.Treatment for shoulder instability is based on a variety of factors including the severity of the condition, and the patient’s age, activity level, occupation, and natural degree of looseness in the joint. It is recommended to seek Dr Siow’s advice to provide appropriate treatment and rehabilitation program for you.